# Case of Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 Infection Linked to Water Flosser, France

**Authors:** Céline Slekovec, Adrien Biguenet, Audrey Jeanvoine, Didier Hocquet, Xavier Bertrand

PMC · DOI: 10.3201/eid3202.251386 · Emerging Infectious Diseases · 2026-02-01

## TL;DR

A case of Legionnaires' disease in France was traced to a water flosser, emphasizing the need for careful management of such devices in healthcare.

## Contribution

This report identifies a water flosser as a potential source of Legionella infection in a hospital setting.

## Key findings

- A nosocomial Legionella pneumophila Serogroup 1 infection was linked to a water flosser.
- The case highlights the risk of water flossers in healthcare environments.

## Abstract

Legionnaires’ disease is a severe respiratory infection that causes increased mortality in hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. We report a nosocomial case in France linked to a water flosser. Our findings underscore the need for vigilance regarding such devices and highlight strategies for their safe management within healthcare settings.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** Legionnaires’ disease (MONDO:0005824)
- **Species:** Legionella pneumophila (taxon 446)

## Full-text entities

- **Diseases:** infection (MESH:D007239), amyotrophy (MESH:D003929), malnutrition (MESH:D044342), pressure ulcer (MESH:D003668), respiratory symptoms (MESH:D012818), caries (MESH:D003731), necrosis (MESH:D009336), MICU (MESH:C000657744), cardiorespiratory arrest (MESH:D006323), Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 infection (MESH:D007877), respiratory infection (MESH:D012141), fever (MESH:D005334), respiratory distress syndrome (MESH:D012128), pneumonia (MESH:D011014), acute renal failure (MESH:D058186), multiple organ failure (MESH:D009102)
- **Chemicals:** sodium thiosulfate (MESH:C017717), piperacillin/tazobactam (MESH:D000077725), cystein (-), cycloheximide (MESH:D003513), glycine (MESH:D005998), vancomycin (MESH:D014640), Water (MESH:D014867)
- **Species:** Homo sapiens (human, species) [taxon 9606], Bacteria Latreille et al. 1825 (Bacteria stick insect, genus) [taxon 629395], Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 (serogroup) [taxon 66976], Legionella pneumophila (species) [taxon 446], Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast, species) [taxon 4932], Escherichia coli (E. coli, species) [taxon 562], Streptococcus mutans (species) [taxon 1309]

## Full text

_Full body text omitted from this summary view._ Fetch the complete paper as Markdown: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928229/full.md

## Figures

1 figure with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928229/full.md

## References

10 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928229/full.md

---
Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12928229